Beat

Beat

,
n.1. One that beats, or surpasses, another or others; as, the
beat of him.
[Colloq.]
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

2. The act of one that beats a person or thing; as: (a)
(Newspaper Cant) The act of obtaining and publishing a piece of news by a newspaper before its competitors; also, the news itself; -- also called a
scoop or
exclusive.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

It's a
beat on the whole country.

Scribner's Mag.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

(b)
(Hunting) The act of scouring, or ranging over, a tract of land to rouse or drive out game; also, those so engaged, collectively. "Driven out in the course of a beat."
Encyc. of Sport.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

Bears coming out of holes in the rocks at the last moment, when the
beat is close to them.